Ok, Carolina fans have been ready for next season for quite some time now. Not only did the basketball team have one of its worst seasons in the history of the program, but next year’s incoming class of freshmen currently rank as the #3 recruiting class in the nation. And it’s still possible that they add another big name to it. But for right now, I’m only going to focus on the sure things…who’s leaving, who’s coming, etc. There’s no doubt that Carolina basketball will be re-loaded next year, so let’s take a quick look at the possible lineup situations.

Who’s Gone

Christian Keeling

Justin Pierce

Brandon Robinson

These are the three players we know for sure that are gone. The two transfers in Keeling and Pierce, along with Robinson were seniors and will move on to the next phase of their lives. Although a lot of fans loved Robinson for his commitment and work ethic, losing these guys will not hurt one bit. Brandon Robinson could get hot from time to time from three point land, but was never a consistent shooter who you had confidence in when he let the ball fly. And Keeling and Pierce never really fit in, although it’s very tough to when you’re a graduate transfer and have to learn a new program (especially one like Carolina’s). They each had some decent games from time to time, but overall they didn’t live up to expectations placed on them, whether fair or unfair.

Who’s Back

Armando Bacot

Leaky Black

Garrison Brooks

Jeremiah Francis

Anthony Harris

Brandon Huffman

Sterling Manley

Walker Miller

Andrew Platek

K.J. Smith

These are guys that will be back for sure, barring a transfer. Coming in last year, some though Bacot could potentially be a one and done, but his performance this year was underwhelming considering his hype coming into the program. He’s got a lot to work on to improve and show people he’s ready for the next level. Now, how much better will he be next year is another question. He will be forced to step his game up because unlike this year, he will have a LOT more competition at his position to vie for playing time.

Leaky Black was another player that had a vastly underwhelming year. The sophomore guard doesn’t bring much to the table, although his athleticism and physical tools should make him great. He’s extremely long and athletic, but his play on the court is very passive. He doesn’t shoot well and isn’t aggressive in making plays. He has potential to be Theo Pinson. Pinson didn’t shoot well either, but was an integral part of the 2017 national championship team because he did everything else. He hustled every play, was a superb defender, and made a lot of plays. Black has the tools and potential to be that same guy, but we need way more aggressiveness and confidence out of him. If he would bring half of what Pinson did to the table, he would be a nice energy guy and playmaker to have on this roster.

Garrison Brooks will return for his senior season and will be a starter. Nobody in the ACC improved more than Brooks did from last year to this year, which is why he won the conference’s most improved award. His offensive game has really come along nicely and he has become a leader for this team. I didn’t think I would have ever said this a year ago, but I’m glad he’s coming back to build on a great season. He will be a big part of the team next year by his on-court play and his leadership to the freshmen bigs coming in.

Jeremiah Francis and Anthony Harris should both be back, unless they would decide to transfer, which I’ll discuss later. Their freshmen seasons this year was cut drastically short due to injuries, so it was really difficult to get a great feel for them and their game. I think both could be decent guards that could give 4-6 minutes a game in a backup role when the guards ahead of them need a rest or get in foul trouble. They shouldn’t be asked to do too much, except play hard and smart for a few minutes here and there, and they both are capable of that.

Brandon Huffman, Sterling Manley, and Walker Miller will all be back, but none of these guys make much of a difference in the games. Manley has been hurt for two years, leaving fans to wonder if he’ll ever suit up again. Huffman and Miller only got a minute or two in some games when the frontcourt guys needed a break or got into foul trouble. And that was this year with a very thin frontcourt. Next year it will be crowded, leaving both of them as end-of-the-bench guys.

Andrew Platek had his chance this year to make some noise, given the team’s roster and performance. With injuries, his playing time increased to more than he probably ever imagined it would at Carolina, but he didn’t bring much to the table. He is supposed to be a great shooter, but we never saw anything close to that. He’s also undersized and not as quick or athletic as other guards in the conference. Next year should give minimal playing time to him, something similar to Brandon Huffman and Walker Miller’s situations. KJ Smith is the same way. With injuries, he saw more playing time than he probably ever thought he would get. At the end of the day, it’s nice to have Kenny Smith’s son on the roster, but he just isn’t good enough to make a difference on a team like Carolina and in a conference like the ACC.

Questionable to Return/Leave

Cole Anthony

Most of everyone expects Cole Anthony to leave to the NBA, including myself. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if he came back for one more year. I give it an 80% chance he goes, 20% he comes back. The reason I wouldn’t be surprised he comes back is because he is a proud guy who doesn’t want his college legacy to be a pitiful as it currently is. He was such a highly touted recruit that far, FAR from lived up to expectations. I think everyone can agree that he’s not ready for the NBA and has a lot to work on before he should go. If he comes back, he’s got a chance to build back up his legacy as perhaps one of the better players in the conference (or the country, like he wants it to be). With that being said, he is still projected to be a lottery pick in the NBA draft. Even though scouts can agree he is not a “ready product,” they recognize his skillset and high potential.

“Wouldn’t Surprise Me” Transfers

Andrew Platek

Jeremiah Francis

Anthony Harris

I have a feeling that at least one person is transferring soon. These are my three “it wouldn’t surprise me” transfer candidates. Francis and Harris will never see significant playing time at Carolina, and with the guards coming in next year, would greatly diminish their playing time next season, given they can stay healthy. It makes sense that they would consider transferring to a smaller school where they will have the chance to consistently play and make a difference. Platek is in the same boat, except he will be a senior next year. I can see him in a Seventh Woods situation, where he wants to go play elsewhere for his final year of eligibility and get more playing time than he would at Carolina. There’s some great guards coming in to the program next year, so if everyone stays healthy, Platek’s playing time at UNC should be almost over. For all three of these guys it becomes a matter of how much putting on that UNC uniform means to them vs. time on the court.

Incoming Freshmen

Caleb Love

Walker Kessler

Day’Ron Sharpe

R.J. Davis

Puff Johnson

It’s tough to pick an incoming freshmen I’m most excited about next year, but if I had to I would probably pick Caleb Love. Carolina has a history of great point guard play and I believe he is the next one. He’s the #18 recruit in the nation, according to rivals.com and is an aggressive, scoring point guard. If you watched any Carolina basketball this year, you know they need aggressiveness and scoring. If Love can grasp the tough role of being a Carolina guard sooner rather than later, then he should be a lot of fun to watch. R.J. Davis is another guard coming in who is capable of scoring a lot. He has really shot up the ranks over the past year and was named Mr. Basketball in New York. He should bring toughness and the ability to score to the table next year, which is what this team desperately needs.

The two bigs, Day’Ron Sharpe and Walker Kessler have me very excited for next year too. Sharpe is a very physical big guy who should come in a clean up the boards, as well as provide a toughness that was lacking in the paint this year. Kessler, at 7-feet tall, I instantly want to compare to Tyler Zeller. But I would need to watch Kessler play at Carolina before I make any comparisons. Whereas Zeller could stretch the defense out by knocking down shots 15 feet out, Kessler has the ability to knock down shots on the perimeter. Combine that with a very skillful inside game, Kessler should make a big difference next year. I’m hoping he has the ability to get up and down the court like Zeller to really open up Carolina’s patented transition game.

Lastly is Puff Johnson, Cam Johnson’s younger brother. Puff is the only incoming recruit that wasn’t named to the McDonald’s All-American Game this year, but is still a four-star recruit who, like his older brother, can light it up from the outside. He will be more of a role player than the other incoming freshmen, at least for next year, but a role player who can provide an instant scoring threat from beyond the arc is very important to good teams.

Potential Lineup (Without Cole Anthony)

Starters

PG Caleb Love

SG R.J. Davis

SF Leaky Black

PF Garrison Brooks

C Walker Kessler

Bench

Armando Bacot

Day’Ron Sharpe

Jeremiah Francis

Anthony Harris

Puff Johnson

Andrew Platek

Potential Lineup (With Cole Anthony)

Starters

PG Caleb Love

SG Cole Anthony

SF Leaky Black

PF Garrison Brooks

C Walker Kessler

Bench

Armando Bacot

Day’Ron Sharpe

R.J. Davis

Jeremiah Francis

Anthony Harris

Puff Johnson

Garett

A Look at What UNC Basketball Could Look Like Next Year